. Taranaki. July 21st. 1847. My dear Sir, I find the impression as to a seven years' drought and famine still obtains amongst the Ngatiranuis; and from present appearances they intend to use the hint to advantage, by enlarging their wheat cultivations; which they seem to think will be the only crop that will save them from a similar fate to that of our poor country-people in Ireland and Scotland; whose present deplorable condition is not only rousing the sympathy of a charitable people at home, but also of a numerous and influential body of Colonists abroad. I observe, by a recent Sydney paper, that large collections are being made in New South Wales for the unfortunate sufferers in the Mother Country. Nor is this distress confined to Britain alone. It has also spread over a great portion of the Continent; and as these visitations of Providence are not confined to any particular locality, it becomes an obvious duty on our part to make such provision, as may in some degree, tend to mitigate the alarming consequences of such a calamity, should our Island have a similar visitation; as we cannot expect much from distant sources; when there are so many urgent demands existing on the benevolence and charity of those who are disposed to contribute towards alleviating the wants of others; and although we cannot trace the origin, amongst the natives, of this anticipated drought, to any authentic individual source; it may have arisen from the circumstances to which I have alluded; being talked of in their presence, by persons who may have undesignedly been instrumental in leading them, through their own naturally exaggerated conceptions, to a belief that a similar fate awaited this country; and thus, not only prepare them for its attendant consequences; but also promote industry, harmony, and peace amongst them. A race, like them, possessed of strong natural passions, must, along with the mild and conciliating influence of Christianity, have their minds engaged with such occupations as tend to the developement of their physical powers, and the restraint of such passions; and as we are taught by experience that our own resourses must then form our greatest support,- the more we co-operate with the natives in furthering such improvements as will render us all comparatively independent, the better. I therefore resolved, on mature consideration, to forego the opposition I have hitherto had, to their erecting large Water Mills, from the complicated and expensive nature of such an undertaking; and even should they, in some in-in some instances fail to realise their expectations,